Legal-Ease: Magic and miracles of Christmas

LEGAL-EASE

By Lee R. Schroeder - Guest Columnist

Lee R. Schroeder

For Christians, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ is nothing less than overwhelming. Although we all face struggles, people often recognize the magic of Christmas and how miraculous things are more likely to happen this time of the year.

For example, during this Christmas season, many people have had their layaway items at various stores anonymously paid. The people who have had their layaway items paid for can feel like they experienced a miracle.

However, the people who made the payments essentially did something very simple. The payers paid bills, just like all of us do every day. In other words, magic or a miracle to one person may be a simple act to someone else.

Similarly, we can create magic and miracles in our own lives by taking intentional, simple acts in advance of perilous or challenging times.

“It was a miracle that I saved that $500 a couple months ago, which $500 is exactly what I now need to repair my car.”

“It was a miracle how it all worked out with us not having to sell our farmland to pay for Mom’s nursing home care.”

“I am awfully lucky to have updated my powers of attorney before I needed them in the hospital.”

Each of the examples above are not really miracles or magic. They are the logical outcomes of early decisions.

The law can seem like a mystical world that treats us well if we are randomly blessed with magic or miracles. In fact, the law, like most of the rest of the world, is a structure and environment where positive choices early can and usually will yield positive outcomes in the end.

People can prepare themselves for future legal and financial miracles by taking the following four steps.

First, think about the most alarming or worrisome concerns and challenges of your life. Despite our preconceived notions of the way the world works, identifying worries, concerns and challenges does not increase their probability of happening. This is the opposite of burying your head in the sand.

Second, identify one or more persons who might be able to give guidance on each concern or challenge. Those people need not be “fixers.” Rather, the people identified in this second step are people who may be able to help you to overcome each concern/challenge yourself.

Third, engage with the people identified in the second step. Seek out and undertake their advice.

And, fourth, discipline your mind to not expect immediate resolution of each concern/challenge. Life is a long journey, and no aspect of it can be mastered overnight. Conversely, though, it is crucial to challenge yourself to tackle each concern/challenge in a meaningful way at a time that is soon enough to be uncomfortable to you.

We can and will create our own miracles in life when we identify our biggest concerns and challenges, find and listen to people who can help us to overcome those challenges ourselves and commit to timely but not unreasonable self-accountability in addressing each concern/challenge.

Lee R. Schroeder is an Ohio licensed attorney at Schroeder Law LLC in Putnam County. He limits his practice to business, real estate, estate planning and agriculture issues in northwest Ohio. He can be reached at Lee@LeeSchroeder.com or at 419-659-2058. This article is not intended to serve as legal advice, and specific advice should be sought from the licensed attorney of your choice based upon the specific facts and circumstances that you face.

Lee R. Schroeder is an Ohio licensed attorney at Schroeder Law LLC in Putnam County. He limits his practice to business, real estate, estate planning and agriculture issues in northwest Ohio. He can be reached at Lee@LeeSchroeder.com or at 419-659-2058. This article is not intended to serve as legal advice, and specific advice should be sought from the licensed attorney of your choice based upon the specific facts and circumstances that you face.